Traction-wheel.



Patented Sept. l9, I899. H. C. CLAY. TRACTION WHEEL.

(Application filed Apr. 14, 1899.)

illlli (No Model.)

A TTORNE V.

as co, PNOTO-L1TNO..WASMINGTON, u. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY C. CLAY, or COLUMBUS, INDIANA, Assionon TO THE REEVES a COMPANY,or SAME PLACE.

TRACTION-WHEEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 633,282, datedSeptember 19, 1899.

, Application filed April 14, 1899 To all whom it may concern:

the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in drive -wheels, moreparticularly to drivewheels for traction-engines.

The object of my invention is to produce a wheel of light butsubstantial structure to which power may be applied ineither angulardirection at or near its center, which power will be transmitted to therim Without strain.

The accompanying drawings illustrate my.

invention.

Figure 1 is a perspective view thereof. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectionthrough one of the spoke-flanges. 4

In the drawings, 3 indicates a hub having two circumferential flanges 4and 5, one near each end, and 6 indicates a suitable rim the outer faceof which may be provided with the usual ribs 7.

Four series of spokes 8, 9, 10, and 11 are provided, said spokes beingpreferably of wrought metal, while the hub and rim are of cast metal,the spokes being cast into the hub and rim. The inner ends of spokes 8and 9 are secured or cast into the flange 4, while the outer ends aresecured or cast into the rim 6, the fastening means being such that eachspoke maybe subjected alternatelyto tension and compression. The spokes8 and 9 are arranged at their outer ends in one circumferential line. Attheir inner ends, however, the spokes of both series are arrangedtangentially to the axis, spokes 8 lying in one angular direction andspokes 9 in the opposite angular direction, and spokes 8 lying along onecircumferential line, while spokes 9 lie along a different line. By thisarrangement the inner ends of adjacent spokes of the two series may beCrossed. Spokes 10 and 11 are secured to the rim 6 and flange 5 in asimilar manner.

In order that the spokes may serve both as Serial No. 712,970. (Nomodel.)

ties and struts, any suitable connecting means may be shown.

In the drawings each spoke is provided at each end with one or moreindentations 12, into which the metal of the rim or hub may enter.

In operation, suppose a clockwise stress be applied to the hub of thewheel shown in Fig. 2. All of the spokes 8 will act as ties undertension, while all of the spokes 9 will act as struts under compression.If a Counter clockwise stress be applied to the hub, the action will bereversed and spokes 8 put under compression and spokes 9 under tension.A twisting driving stress in either direction is therefore transmittedby both series of spokes.

A wheel made in this manner may be light, but nevertheless will beextremely rigid.

It will be readily'understood that for narrow wheels one hub-flange andbut two series of spokes will be suiflcient.

I Claim as my invention 1. In a wheel, ahub having a pair of flanges,two series of crossing tangential straight spokes having their innerends staggered and secured to one of said flanges and their outer endsto the rim, and two other series of crossing tangential spokes havingtheir inner ends staggered and secured to the other of said flangesand'their outer ends to the rim, all of the said spokes being secured tothe hub and rim so as to act both as struts and ties.

2 In a wheel, a rim, and a hub having a pair of flanges, two series ofcrossing tangential straight spokes at their outer ends cast into therim along one circumferential line and, at their inner ends, staggeredand cast into one of said flanges, and two other series of crossingtangential spokes at their outer ends cast into the rim along onecircumferential line and, at their inner ends, staggered and cast intothe other of said flanges.

HARRY C. CLAY.

